Dining with Democracy

Welcome to the website for Dining with Democracy! Developed by NC State professors Paula McAvoy and Christy Byrd, Dining with Democracy combines the joy of sharing a meal with the importance of engaging in meaningful discussions about the issues that matter. We believe that gathering around the table for conversation can enlighten, connect, and motivate us to become more informed and active participants in our community.

About Dining with Democracy

Dining with Democracy (DwD) is a civic education event where participants have the opportunity to engage in multigenerational discussions about contemporary issues facing the American public. Participants are guided through facilitated, roundtable activities that will allow them to do something fairly rare in today’s political culture: have an open discussion about our differences. At NC State, we host DwD events each year during election season to educate students and the community about local and national concerns.

Dining in Your Classroom

We believe that gathering around the table for conversation can enlighten, connect, and motivate us to become more informed and active participants in our community.This website provides you with the resources to host your own Dining with Democracy and spark thoughtful discussions among your students.

Here are the resources you’ll find:

• Facilitator instructions
• Scripts for background information on various topics
• Planning guides for hosting your own event
• Resources on discussion and deliberation

We encourage educators to explore these resources and see how Dining with Democracy can transform your classroom into a vibrant space for discussion and learning. Thank you for visiting, and we look forward to supporting the wonderful conversations you’ll facilitate with your students.